Fundraising: For Good

Tuesday, November 26, 2024 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Fundraising is the top reported skill shortage for NFPs in Ontario, yet it is also one of the least understood aspects of a charitable organization for NFP CEOs and Board Chairs. Rob Donelson and Bryan Webber will share their experience as fundraising professionals, with stories and best practices in an informative session designed to strengthen your personal and organizational fundraising capacity and to raise the bar for giving in your organization. In this highly practical session, we will cover the “whys” and “how-to” of successful fundraising, today’s fundraising context and trends, and the characteristics of a relevant and impactful fundraising program. The second half of the session will feature an interactive discussion with a panel of seasoned philanthropists from across the sector. Lunch will be provided.

Presenters:

Rob Donelson Interim Executive Director, Lyle S. Hallman Foundation

Rob Donelson is the Interim Executive Director of the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation and recently retired following a 41-year career leading award-winning advancement programs at four universities and two hospital foundations in three countries. Most recently, Rob served as Executive Director of Advancement at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Prior to this, he was Executive Director, Development & Alumni Relations at University College Cork in Ireland, and Vice-President, Development & Alumni Relations at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Canada. He has also led multi-million-dollar campaigns with two hospital foundations.  His experience in all aspects of the donor cycle is extensive. Acknowledged for his leadership in charitable accountability, Rob led the first registered charity in Canada to earn the Ethical Fundraising License and the first university to earn the Standards Accreditation Trustmark from Imagine Canada. He has spoken at several national and international conferences of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners, Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE), and the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy, and served on the Board of CCAE. He was named the Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Golden Horseshoe Chapter, and received the Mission Legacy Award of the St. Joseph’s Health System.

Bryan Webber Executive in Residence, Capacity Canada

Bryan is a relationship development professional with experience in the private and charitable sectors. His career has been focused on building long-term relationships that meet the interests and strategic priorities of his employer and its clients. After 20 years as a sales professional in the private sector, Bryan shifted to the charitable sector in 2002, to “do more than earn a living” as a fundraising professional at the YMCA. He enjoys helping organizations build high-impact visions, and the donor relationships, and partnerships with government and the private sector to support them. Bryan is a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University. He is semi-retired and thoroughly enjoying his new role as a grandfather.